25 January 2012

the one room challenge- week 2

Well I am in a white-out after this weekend. Not from snow, from my all-white office/reading room. I painted the walls pure white during my second week in The One Room Challenge, a 6-week challenge with fellow design bloggers to finish decorating a room.  Last week I told you a bit about the spare room in my condo; this is the inspiration photo I have chosen as my favourite. 

from the Marion House Book
As my philosophy for design is to minimize consumption, re-purpose when possible, and use eco-friendly products when they make sense,  my office makeover will follow that creed. The paint I used on the walls last weekend was CIL Naturaliving no-VOC paint in "White on White".  I have a pretty low budget and plan on creating a lot of things from scratch or upcycling. I already have a desk, a daybed and a credenza, and I am only purchasing two new pieces of furniture- a desk chair and a filing cabinet. And I'm going to keep my eyes open for interesting thrift store finds as I go. 

To make sure I stay on track, I am going through the proper design process for this room makeover: 

1. Figure out what style and mood I want to create and find inspiration pictures I swoon over.
2. Create a mood board with colours, furniture elements, lighting, etc. This will keep me on track throughout the process when I get distracted by a great pillow that really doesn't work with the design. 
3. Lay out a plan. Set a budget. Make a list of things to buy or DIY. 
4. Proceed with accomplishing everything on the list and see the space come together. There is room for a little tweaking along the way. 

 So then, here is step #2: my mood board. 



And step #3: my to-do list (if crossed out they are complete!)

-order eames plastic armchair (reproduction) 
-paint room
-purchase file/storage unit
-DIY fabric headboard for daybed
-DIY wallpaper projects
-DIY art 
-DIY pillow covers
-find industrial-look hanging lamp for above desk
-find vintage lamp
-create magazine storage solution
-style and finish room

I hope you follow along with me, as well as with the other 14 gals who are taking on this challenge. See you next Wednesday!


15 comments :

  1. First, I want that blue shag rug in the first pic badly!! The pile is so thick! Color perfection! I am in LOVE! Secondly, the desk on your inspiration board is one of my faves for an office space! Looking forward to seeing the results!

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  2. I have never seen a room plan laid out that way.I am pinning this...fantastic. I usually just go at it, and that is probably why I never really finish. I love your mood board. That is exactly my taste, too. When I saw the first picture, I thought, wow...she's done! Ha. Looking forward to next week. I have a question about the low VOC paint....do you need to do anything different when you paint? Does it dry faster, slower, or the same?

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    1. I like the CIL no-VOC version. It had no smell, good coverage and dries the same as any latex. No need to do anything different.

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  3. Oooh this room's going to be so great when you're finished!
    I've never used CIL's no-VOC paint, but I have used Benjamin Moore's and it covered really nicely and almost zero smell. Curious about your opinion on the CIL version?

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  4. Your design is so fresh and bright! You are making some great progress!

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  5. Love the clean white look of your inspiration room. Your room is going to be great!

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  6. I thought your room was finished as well when I saw the first photo! But ... yours is going to far surpass that one! Your mood board is beautiful and I totally agree about having a plan and sticking to it ... so many good design elements out there to distract us!!

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  7. I agree that your board is totally beautiful. I admire you sticking to that process, I'm usually a shoot from the hip kind of DIYer but that definitely doesn't always work out hah.

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  8. Wow! I can't wait to see the room when it's complete. Your design board is absolutely gorgeous I love the color palette and furniture choices. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!
    www.asaltbox.com

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  9. This room is going to be absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see it finished!

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  10. Your board is gorgeous. I also looked at your other boards and am amazed! GREAT WORK!! Can't wait to see your stylishly mixed office.

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  11. I am so looking forward to seeing this room! Your inspirations are right up my alley! Good luck!

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  12. I love all the white and neutral and then that great rug. So fresh and happy!

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  13. Great board! I love the colors you have picked and the natural woven elements. I also love stacked books, books on display. Look forward to seeing the study. I am a new follower..happy to have found your blog.

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  14. Your design board looks great, the room is going to be so beautiful and fresh! I love your design philosophy or re-purposing and being eco friendly when it makes sense. I will check out CIL's no VOC paint!

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I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for making my day!